As Noted By Janssen Wimmer And Deljoo 2015 The Technological

As Noted By Janssen Wimmer And Deljoo 2015 The Technological Debat

Elaborate on the drivers of technology, including your opinion on each. Your research paper should be at least 3 pages (800 words), double-spaced, with at least 4 APA references, and formatted in MS Word. The cover page should include the title, student’s name, university’s name, course name, course number, professor’s name, and date.

Paper For Above instruction

This paper explores the drivers of technology and analyzes their influence from various perspectives, drawing extensively on the discussion by Janssen, Wimmer, and Deljoo (2015) regarding the ongoing technological debate. The core question revolves around whether humans are the primary drivers of technological development or if technology itself influences human behavior and societal evolution. Additionally, this paper offers personal insights into each driver, supported by scholarly references and critical analysis.

Introduction

The relationship between technology, humans, and society has been a subject of extensive debate among scholars. Janssen, Wimmer, and Deljoo (2015) highlight three dominant viewpoints: humans as the drivers of technology, technology as an autonomous force, and the co-evolution of society and technology. Understanding these perspectives is crucial for evaluating the ethical, social, and practical implications of technological advancement. This essay will analyze each driver—humans, technology, and society—by elaborating on their roles and offering personal insights on their influence.

Humans as Drivers of Technology

The traditional perspective asserts that humans are the primary architects of technological development. Humans conceive, design, and implement technological innovations based on societal needs, individual creativity, economic goals, and political motives. This view emphasizes human agency, responsibility, and intentionality in shaping technological pathways (Schmidt & Bimber, 2019). Technological progress, from the wheel to artificial intelligence, has been driven by human curiosity, necessity, and the desire for improvement.

From my perspective, humans undeniably serve as the main drivers of technology, fueled by intrinsic motivations such as problem-solving, economic gain, and societal advancement. However, this view tends to overlook the extent to which human decisions are influenced by existing technological frameworks and societal norms, creating a complex interplay between deliberate intent and emergent phenomena.

Technology as an Autonomous Force

The second perspective argues that technology possesses a form of agency, functioning independently of human control. This view suggests that once a technological innovation is introduced, it follows its own logic, impacting societies and individuals in ways that are difficult to predict or control (Verbeek, 2015). For example, the rise of social media platforms and algorithms has demonstrated how technological systems can evolve beyond their creators’ intentions, shaping societal behavior and cultural norms.

Personally, I find this viewpoint both compelling and problematic. While technology does exhibit autonomous characteristics—such as adaptive algorithms and network effects—it is ultimately a human creation. Nonetheless, technological systems can develop unintended consequences, becoming powerful forces that influence human decision-making, culture, and social structures. For instance, AI systems learning from large datasets may behave in unforeseen ways, indicating that technology can have a degree of independence in its evolution.

Technology and Society: Co-evolution or Domination?

The third perspective explores the dynamic relationship between technology and society, suggesting either a co-evolutionary process or societal dominance over technology. Some scholars argue that society shapes technology through social norms, economic structures, and political decisions (Winner, 2017). Others believe that technology increasingly influences social organization, cultural practices, and individual behaviors, effectively constituting society in certain contexts (Feenberg, 2016).

I lean toward the view that technology and society are intertwined in a co-evolutionary process. Technologies are developed within social contexts and continue to influence society, which, in turn, shapes future technological innovations. For example, the digital revolution has transformed social interaction, work, and communication, reflecting a reciprocal relationship. As technology advances, society adapts, but social values and norms also guide technological development, creating a feedback loop that continually reshapes both domains.

Personal Reflection and Conclusion

In my opinion, understanding the drivers of technology requires acknowledging the complex feedback mechanisms among humans, technology, and society. While humans have historically been the primary agents behind technological innovations, these technologies often develop a degree of independence, influencing societal change in unpredictable ways. This dynamic underscores the importance of responsible technological development and ethical considerations to ensure that technology serves societal well-being.

Overall, the debate on what drives technology remains unresolved, but recognizing the multifaceted interactions among humans, machines, and social structures is critical for shaping a sustainable and ethically sound technological future.

References

  • Feenberg, A. (2016). Between reason and history: Essays in technology and modernity. MIT Press.
  • Schmidt, E., & Bimber, B. (2019). The social foundations of technological change. Technology in Society, 58, 101245.
  • Verbeek, P.-P. (2015). To the robot and back: On the relation between humans and technology. In P. J. M. van Lente & P. P. Verbeek (Eds.), The moral status of artificial intelligence. Springer.
  • Winner, L. (2017). The whale and the robot: The future of human intelligence in the robotic age. MIT Press.

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